Crossing Nebraska, East to West, Suggested Routes?
 

I will be crossing Nebraska, coming out of Kansas, probably on Rte. 14, then go to Grand Island. I'm looking at maybe 3 routes from Grand Island: (1) Rte. 2 to 27 North into SD; (2) US 30 to North Platte, then US 83 North to Rte. 2, then west to 27 North up to Wounded Knee, SD; or (3) US 30 to Ogallala, then US 26 to US 385 North to Chadron, US 20 east to 27, then up to Wounded Knee. I've driven Rte 2 and really liked it, but following the Platte River seems intriguing. Suggestions?

US 30 - bleah!
Shoulders, but fairly heavy traffic, RR mainline, and zero scenery.

Hwy 2 - pretty nice.

Hwy 92 - really, really nice - esp. in late spring.
Riding Hwy 92 means a few more miles and a few less services.
But you will see the Great Plains as they once were.
Extremely light traffic, camping in county seats.

From Arthur, take Hwy 61 north.
Then Hwy 2 to either Hwy 27 or Hwy 250.
Hwy 250 is one lane and surreal.

A word of caution -
I've biked often on Pine Ridge Rez -
But one should use prudence when doing so.
If you are nonnative and looking for new age solutions -
you may find the welcome less than anticipated.

PS - If you don't really have to go to Grand Island (And who needs to go to Grand Island, anyhoo?)
I'd suggest heading west on Hwy 74 to Minden and then north to Kearney - college town with bike shop.

If you really want sweetness, head north on Hwy 10, then west on Hwy 40 - moderate traffic - so-so.
Then head north on US 183 for about 12 miles to Cumro Road.
This is a "Died-and-Gone-to-Heaven" paved, country road with almost no traffic.
Fabulous scenery along the South Fork of the Loup River. (Camping allowed at Pressley WMA)
Continue on to Callaway and Arnold via Callaway-Arnold Road (camping on lake at edge of town)

I second the suggestion to go on NE 250 -- was on it many years ago (driving) and it was gorgeous Sand Hills scenery with lots of little lakes and wide open.

The suggestions here make me want to go back and explore the roads mentioned by jamawani.

If you're going anytime soon, be advised that the Platte River has almost no water in it right now. Pretty sad.

jamawani, thanks again, I like the looks of that route, had been looking at 2 all the way from Grand Island to 27, but 61 or 250 look inviting too. I've been to Pine Ridge and Wounded Knee many times, but always in a car. It's been sort of a pilgrimage every few years for a long time. I don't bother anyone, just pass thru. I appreciate the info.

Every time I've driven across Nebraska, I felt that I had really been in the heartland. So, the sweetness of Hwy 10, 40, and following the Loup River are really appealing, think I will go that way. Thanks for the response.

Leaving Jacksonville, FL next year, mid-April, should be coming across Nebraska around the 3rd week of May. Thanks for the info.

My wife and I rode Hwy 20 across Nebraska. It was a good route. Our goal was to ride Hwy 20 from Newport, Oregon to Boston, Massachusetts. Highway 20 is the only contiguous highway across the U. S. We enjoyed Nebraska so much we talked about going back and spending some time there. Nice small towns, great people, and fairly decent roads.

+1 on the Sand Hills. The Butte country in eastern Nebraska is also nice.

Thanks Doug, I didn't know that about US 20, think I will try to include a portion in the western part of the state, appreciate the suggestion.

BTW - In the interests of full disclosure:
I like what most people consider "remote".
Of course, I'm from Wyoming - so it's all relative.
But urban folks sometimes find my suggestions a bit on the wild side.

I'm an only child, grew up in a very rural part of Alabama, I like being alone and in remote places; that's the purpose of my trip, to get lost in America, and maybe to find it.